Upon seeing their mother being slapped, Yang Xiang and Yang Lin quickly stepped in to protect her, especially considering their preexisting dislike for Jian Qing.
Yang Lin glared at Jian Qing with fury, "How dare you cause a scene here! This is the An Family mansion, it doesn't tolerate such reckless behavior."
"Exactly, my mother is your elder after all, what you've done is completely out of line." Seeing that grandfather An didn't say anything, Yang Xiang also plucked up the courage to criticize Jian Qing very directly.
Jian Qing shrugged, her red lips curving into a bloodthirsty smirk, "I'll clarify once more - my name is Jian Qing. An Nuo died seventeen years ago. As for now, anyone who dares to insult my mother again will have to deal with more than just a slap."
Upon hearing the words "seventeen years ago," Zhou Qi, An Man, and a few others couldn't help but tense up before forcefully calming themselves.
At that point, grandfather An spoke up once more. Instead of rebuking Jian Qing, he firmly defended her. "An Rong, you are an elder, yet you show no dignity. If this continues, you will not be welcome here any longer."
"Grandfather, you…" An Rong looked at grandfather An incredulously, unable to believe the words she just heard. Even An Zhonghui and his family were shocked.
They couldn't accept that grandfather An would actually banish his own granddaughter from the mansion for the sake of Jian Qing.
Grandfather An spoke with an assertive tone that allowed no rebuttal. An Rong realized that nobody would defend her in these circumstances, so she swallowed her anger and indignation.
Jian Qing chuckled softly, but her eyes held no mirth. "Don't worry, I have no interest in staying here, particularly as I find certain individuals distasteful."
Her casual words made Zhou Qi and the others grimace. They hadn't even begun to express their disdain for her, yet she had insulted them first. How could their pride allow such a thing?
Unfazed by everyone else's opinion, grandfather An became anxious when he heard Jian Qing didn't want to stay. "Where do you plan to stay if not here, Qing?"
He knew the An Family owed her for the past. Now that she was back, couldn't they have a chance to make up for it?
Among the An family, only grandfather An was genuinely kind to her. Jian Qing was well aware of this and, no matter how much she hated the others, she still felt gratitude and respect for him.
After she placed the fallen blanket back onto grandfather An's legs, Jian Qing's icy tones softened a little, "No, I can't get used to living here. It's late. You should rest."
Upon hearing Jian Qing's concern, grandfather An was somewhat moved and his eyes became slightly moist. "When will you come again?"
Jian Qing stood up straight, casting a casual glance towards Zhou Qi and the others. Her gaze finally rested on grandfather An, "Maybe tomorrow, or maybe the day after. I can't say for sure, but I will be staying in Beijing for the time being."
After all, some people's debts would have to be repaid slowly, and there was plenty of time. What could be more interesting than watching them live in fear day by day?
Upon hearing Jian Qing's vague answer, grandfather An frowned. But hearing that she would stay in Beijing, his furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
"Let me have someone take you home," he said gently.
Jian Qing shook her head, "No need, I can manage on my own."
Without waiting for grandfather An to reply, Jian Qing turned and left, not sparing a glance for anyone else in the An family.
Watching Jian Qing's retreating figure, grandfather An heaved a heavy sigh. The sweet little girl who used to call him warmly was now gone, and everything had changed.
"It's late. You should all go rest."
Then calling out to a servant to push his wheelchair, he headed upstairs to rest, leaving the rest of the An Family in the banquet hall.
Jian Qing's return caught the An family off guard, revealing their past wrongs, and turned their peaceful family life upside down. That night, it seemed unlikely that anyone, aside from grandfather An, would have a good night's rest.
....
Leaving the An Family mansion, Jian Qing wandered the streets alone. Under the streetlights, her thin figure seemed lonely and desolate.
Having been in Beijing for several days, she hadn't yet bought a car. Living on the outskirts of the city meant taxis weren't easily accessible. So she walked on, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to the cooling night breeze.
By the time she returned to Shijin Haoting, it was late. After taking a bath and having a cup of warm milk, she went straight to bed.
As she drifted off to sleep, she found herself missing the home-cooked meals at the manor.
Those who knew Jian Qing well knew that despite her intelligence, she was a disaster in the kitchen. Jian Luo always joked that his sister was like a 'kitchen assassin', implying it would be quicker for her to blow up the kitchen than to actually prepare a meal.